Coyotes newcomer Cal O'Reilly expected to make impact

When Cal O'Reilly takes the ice for the Coyotes after healing from a groin injury, coach Dave Tippett expects him to be a good contributor. O'Reilly was obtained Friday from the Nashville Predators for a fourth-round draft pick.

"We've watched him play for a while, and he's a skilled centerman," Tippett said. "It looked like he was going to have a real good year (last season) and ended up getting hurt, long-term injury (leg).

"It's an opportunity for us to bring a younger player in that hopefully can fill a hole for us at center ice."

O'Reilly, who had an assist in five games with Nashville, said the Coyotes' and Predators' similar style of play should make his transition easier.

"They're very responsible defensively, as we were in Nashville, so I'll have that coming forward. I'm very excited for a fresh start somewhere else."

O'Reilly is more of a playmaker than scorer and said he takes pride in that role.

"I think the best aspects of my game are playmaking and passing," he said. "I love passing the puck, the way it's been my whole career everywhere."

Young and old mix

Rookie Andy Miele already has experienced the influence of captain Shane Doan. The two were on the same line Thursday, along with Mikkel Boedker.

"He takes an extra challenge in making sure that they feel like they're capable of doing the job," Tippett said.

Miele said being on the same line with Doan was a good learning experience and a confidence-builder.

"He wants to make you step up and play that much better just so you can keep up with him," Miele said. "He's very helpful out there. Every time I was coming back to the bench, he had something good to say, whether it was, 'Nice play,' or 'Do this next time.' It was a lot of fun playing with him; he's a great player."

Doan said it fun to watch Miele handle the puck and make plays, adding that the Hobey Baker Award winner has a "special talent" offensively.

"For me to see that kind of youthful enthusiasm . . . we were talking on the bench about him getting his first point, wanted to get it, it's exciting," Doan said. "I remember the feeling when I was in that situation; anything to kind of bring that back is special."

Doan's first time on the ice was with the older version of the Winnipeg Jets against Dallas. "It's one of those things you never forget," he said.

A key area of Miele's game that need improvement is in the faceoff circle. He was proficient on lower levels, but he's facing off now against players with years of experience.

"Up here, you get put in some hard situations against some good players," Tippett said. "You can't get in a situation where you feel like you're in a disadvantage, so that's an area he has to work on, he knows it, and it's good thing that our players help him out with it."

MacLean returns

Forward Brett MacLean is back with the organization after being claimed off waivers Saturday from Winnipeg, the team that had secured his rights off the waiver wire Oct. 5. He will be sent to Portland of the AHL.

"We know a lot about him," Tippett said. "That's the way the system works. He got picked up on waivers, he had a chance in Winnipeg, couldn't' quite make it there. He adds depth to our group.

"If we need a spark up here or have an injury, we know what he can do."